Fluid transfer device having removable needle cartridge

ABSTRACT

A fluid transfer device including a cartridge having a plurality of needles, an advancer operative to selectably advance any of the plurality of needles in the cartridge to a needle deployment position, and a syringe operative to convey fluid through the needle in the needle deployment position.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/868,764, filed Jun. 17, 2004, entitled “Fluid Transfer Device HavingRemovable Needle Cartridge,” which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/478,845, filed Jun. 17, 2003,entitled “Multi Needle Disposal Cartridge in Syringe Applications,” bothof which applications are incorporated herein by reference in theirentirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a fluid transfer device having aremovable cartridge containing multiple needles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

When injections are administered to a large number of animals, the sameneedle is often repeatedly used. This is due primarily to the need tocarry out mass injections quickly and efficiently, whereas employingmultiple needles is time-consuming, cumbersome, and potentially unsafedue to the burden their disposal places upon those giving theinjections. However, reusing the same needle is unsanitary and may leadto the spread of disease from one animal to the next. An efficientsolution that allows multiple injections to be performed quickly andefficiently, provides a separate, sterile needle for each subject, andprovides for safe, easy needle disposal would therefore be advantageous.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention discloses a fluid transfer device employing aremovable cartridge having multiple needles, where the cartridge isautomatically advanced to the next unused needle after a needle has beenused, until all of the needles in the cartridge have been used once. Thecartridge provides a protective housing for both unused and usedneedles.

The present invention may be used in veterinary medicine, where a groupof animals may require injections at one time, although it isappreciated that it may be used in other applications as well. Using thedevice of the present invention, a separate, sterile needle is employedfor each injection, reducing the risk of disease transfer from onesubject to the next. The required amount of fluid to be administered maybe set only once for a series of injections. Thus, a uniform dosage maybe administered to a large number of subjects with relative ease.

In one aspect of the present invention a fluid transfer device isprovided including a cartridge including a plurality of needles, anadvancer operative to selectably advance any of the plurality of needlesin the cartridge to a needle deployment position, and a syringeoperative to convey fluid through the needle in the needle deploymentposition.

In another aspect of the present invention the device further includesapparatus operative to at least partially extend the needle out of thecartridge.

In another aspect of the present invention the apparatus is retractableto urge the needle at least partially back into the cartridge.

In another aspect of the present invention the device further includesan syringe operative to couple with the needle for conveying the fluidtherethrough.

In another aspect of the present invention the cartridge includes aplurality of needle chambers, each chamber housing one of the pluralityof needles.

In another aspect of the present invention any of the chambers includesa spring operative to expand when the needle is extended at leastpartially out of the chamber and contract to retract the needle at leastpartially back into the chamber.

In another aspect of the present invention any of the chambers includesat least one needle guard operative to at least partially obstruct anopening of the chamber subsequent to the needle being firstly extendedat least partially out of the chamber, where the obstruction issufficient to prevent reentry into the chamber of apparatus forextending the needle out of the chamber.

In another aspect of the present invention the needle guard is flexedand held in place between the needle and an inner wall of the chamberprior to the needle being firstly extended at least partially out of thechamber, and where the needle guard resiliently flattens at leastpartially across the opening of the chamber subsequent to the extendingof the needle.

In another aspect of the present invention the cartridge is cylindricaland is operative to be rotated to advance any of the needles to theneedle deployment position.

In another aspect of the present invention the cartridge is a ribbon inwhich a plurality of needle chambers are disposed.

In another aspect of the present invention the cartridge is a slidingcartridge and is operative to be slid along an axis to advance any ofthe needles to the needle deployment position.

In another aspect of the present invention a method is provided forfluid transfer, the method including selectably advancing any of theplurality of needles in a cartridge to a needle deployment position, andconveying fluid through the needle in the needle deployment position.

In another aspect of the present invention the method further includesat least partially extending the needle out of the cartridge.

In another aspect of the present invention the method further includesat least partially retracting the needle back into the cartridge.

In another aspect of the present invention the method further includescoupling an syringe with the needle and conveying the fluidtherethrough.

In another aspect of the present invention the method further includeshousing each of the plurality of needles in a corresponding one of aplurality of needle chambers disposed in the cartridge.

In another aspect of the present invention the method further includescausing a spring disposed in any of the chambers to expand when theneedle is extended at least partially out of the chamber and contract toretract the needle at least partially back into the chamber.

In another aspect of the present invention the method further includesat least partially obstructing an opening of any of the chamberssubsequent to the needle being firstly extended at least partially outof the chamber, where the obstruction is sufficient to prevent reentryinto the chamber of apparatus for extending the needle out of thechamber.

In another aspect of the present invention the method further includesflexing and holding a needle guard in place between the needle and aninner wall of the chamber prior to the needle being firstly extended atleast partially out of the chamber, and flattening the needle guard atleast partially across the opening of the chamber subsequent to theextending of the needle.

In another aspect of the present invention the method further includesrotating the cartridge to advance any of the needles to the needledeployment position, where the cartridge is cylindrical.

In another aspect of the present invention the method further includessliding the cartridge along an axis to advance any of the needles to theneedle deployment position, where the cartridge is a sliding cartridge.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be understood and appreciated more fully byway of example provided by the following detailed description taken inconjunction with the appended drawings in which:

FIGS. 1A and 1B are simplified side views of a fluid transfer device,constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIGS. 2A and 2B are simplified cross-sectional side views of a fluidtransfer device, constructed and operative in accordance with apreferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3A is an isometric view, taken from the syringe entry side of thecartridge of the device illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 3B is an isometric view, taken from the needle outlet side of thecartridge of the device illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIGS. 4A and 4B are partial cross-sectional side views of the cartridgeof the device illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, showing a single needlechamber of the cartridge before needle deployment;

FIGS. 4C and 4D are partial cross-sectional side views of the cartridgeof the device illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, showing a single needlechamber of the cartridge during needle deployment;

FIGS. 4E and 4F are partial cross-sectional side views of the cartridgeof the device illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, showing a single needlechamber of the cartridge after the needle has returned to the cartridge;

FIG. 5 is an isometric, bottom view of a needle guard ring for use withthe cartridge of the device of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a dust-prevention guard for use with thecartridge of the device of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 7 is simplified side view of a fluid transfer device with needlecartridge ribbon, constructed and operative in accordance with apreferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is simplified side view of a fluid transfer device having asliding cartridge, constructed and operative in accordance with apreferred embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 9 is a simplified illustration of a rotation mechanism for use withthe cartridge of the device of FIGS. 1 and 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference is now made to FIGS. 1A and 1B, which are simplified sideviews of a fluid transfer device 100, constructed and operative inaccordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. A fluidtransfer device, generally designated 100, is shown to which a needlecartridge 102 is coupled. Cartridge 102 preferably houses multipleneedles 114 and is adapted for being mounted to and dismounted fromfluid transfer device 100, such as onto a shaft assembly 116, for whicha locking mechanism 104, which may be any conventional lockingmechanism, is provided on either shaft 116 or cartridge 102 so thatcartridge 102 may be securely fastened to shaft assembly 116. Fluidtransfer device 100 also preferably includes a handle 106, a safetylatch 108, a main housing 110, and a piston assembly, generallydesignated 112, which operate in combination to advance cartridge 102 tothe next needle 114 and convey a predetermined amount of fluid via asingle needle 114.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 2A and 2B, which represent simplifiedcross-sectional side views of fluid transfer device 100, constructed andoperative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention. In FIGS. 2A and 2B, needle cartridge 102 is illustratedhousing a plurality of needles 114, only one of which is shown forillustration purposes, in a predetermined arrangement. Cartridge 102 ispreferably cylindrical and includes multiple needle chambers 200 forhousing single needles 114 in a sterile and safe manner. In one possibleconfiguration, twenty-four needle chambers housing twenty-four needlesare positioned around the circumference of cartridge 102. It isappreciated, however, that cartridge 102 may be designed to house anysuitable number of needles. Preferably, the upper-most needle incartridge 102 occupies a needle deployment position 202. Duringoperation of fluid transfer device 100, the needle 114 occupying needledeployment position 202 is forced outwardly from cartridge 102, enablingneedle 114 to be inserted into a single subject, such as for theinjection of fluid. Following injection, needle 114 is drawn back intoits chamber 200 in cartridge 102, and cartridge 102 is rotated by apre-set amount using any conventional means to allow an unused needle tooccupy needle deployment position 202, such as is described in greaterdetail hereinbelow with reference to FIG. 9.

Piston assembly 112 preferably includes a fluid reservoir 204, and afirst one-way valve 206 for facilitating entry of fluid into reservoir204, such as via a tube or container connected to valve 206. Pistonassembly 112 also preferably includes a second one-way valve 208 and asyringe 210. Second one-way valve 208 serves to enable passage of fluidfrom reservoir 204 to syringe 210. Piston assembly 112 also preferablyincludes a spring-biased piston 212 slidably mounted in reservoir 204,and a piston pusher 214 coupled to piston 212 and adapted to be pressedduring operation of fluid transfer device 100 to urge fluid to flow fromreservoir 204 to syringe 210. During an injection, syringe 210temporarily couples with and pushes needle 114 outward from needledeployment position 202 such that needle 114 protrudes from cartridge102 for insertion into a subject. This will be further described below.

Main housing 110 (FIG. 1A) is preferably connected to cartridge 102 viashaft assembly 116, and is movable, together with cartridge 102, betweena priming position A, as shown in FIG. 2A, and an injecting position B,as shown in FIG. 2B. Shaft assembly 116 preferably includes an innershaft 216, an outer shaft 218, and an advancer 220 coupled to cartridge102 for advancing the next needle chamber 200 in cartridge 102 to needledeployment position 202, such as by rotating cartridge 102 by apredetermined amount, whenever main housing 110 is moved from injectingposition B to priming position A. Main housing 110 also includes a mainhousing spring 222 positioned between outer shaft 218 and piston 212. Inpriming position A, main housing 110 and cartridge 102 are in anextended position with respect to piston assembly 112, and spring 222 iscompressed. In injecting position B, main housing 110 and cartridge 102are in a retracted position with respect to piston assembly 112. Ininjecting position B, syringe 210 has entered cartridge 102 and hascoupled with needle 114 in needle deployment position 202. Handle 106and safety latch 108 preferably function to enable movement of mainhousing 110 and cartridge 102 between priming position A and injectingposition B.

A piston jack 224 coupled to piston 212 is preferably adapted to recedeupward into piston assembly 112 when piston 212 is pushed forward in thedirection of arrow 230, and to extend downward out of piston assembly112 when forward movement of piston 212 has ceased. A piston puller 234is preferably disposed in one of several grooves 226 on outer shaft 218of main housing 110, with each groove 226 corresponding to apredetermined dosage. After injection, outer shaft 218 preferably movesforward in the direction of arrow 230, where piston puller 234 ispreferably sloped downward to allow it to engage and pass underneath acorrespondingly sloped tip of piston jack 224. Outer shaft 218 thenpreferably moves backward in the direction of arrow 232, with pistonpuller 234 catching piston jack 224 and drawing piston 212 back. It willbe seen that positioning piston puller 234 closer to reservoir 204 willcause piston puller 234 to engage piston jack 224 sooner, and cause morefluid to enter reservoir 204, while positioning piston puller 234farther back from reservoir 204 will cause piston puller 234 to engagepiston jack 224 later, and cause less fluid to enter reservoir 204. Inthis manner, the position of piston puller 234 may be set at the desiredgroove 226 to determine to the amount of fluid for each an injection.

Typical operation of fluid transfer device 100 begins by moving pistonpusher 214 of piston assembly 112 back and forth so as to produce lowpressure in reservoir 204. This motion is continued until fluid becomesdrawn through tubing connecting fluid transfer device 100 to a fluidcontainer (not shown) and into fluid transfer device 100 via firstone-way valve 206. A desired fluid dosage that is to be administered toeach subject is controlled by setting piston jack 224 into the desiredgroove 226 as described above. Needle cartridge 102 may then be attachedto main housing 110.

Injection of a subject is carried out in three steps. First, handle 106is pushed towards a grip 228. This results in the forward movement ofmain housing 110, outer shaft 218, inner shaft 216, and cartridge 102 inthe direction of arrow 230 to priming position A, as seen in FIG. 2A.The forward movement of main housing 110 compresses main housing spring222 and locks safety latch 108 onto outer shaft 218 of main housing 110.Pushing handle 106 also results in advancer 220 advancing cartridge 102by a predetermined amount so as to present the next needle 114 to needledeployment position 202. Advancer 220 may function through anyappropriate means in the art for converting the linear motion of mainhousing 110 into an advancing action of cartridge 102, such as throughrotation. Next, safety latch 108 is pressed downward and released fromouter shaft 218, resulting in backward movement of main housing 110 andcartridge 102 in the direction of arrow 232, as seen in FIG. 2B. Thebackward movement of cartridge 102 causes syringe 210 to enter cartridge102, couple with needle 114 in needle deployment position 202, and topartially push needle 114 out of cartridge 102, whereupon needle 114 maythen be inserted into a subject. The release of safety latch 108 alsopreferably causes spring 222 to expand, resulting in the backwardmovement of outer shaft 218 and piston 212, which causes a predeterminedamount of fluid to be drawn into reservoir 204 via first one-way valve206. In the third step, piston pusher 214 is pressed forward, resultingin passage of the predetermined amount of fluid from reservoir 204 tosyringe 210 and into needle 114 for injection into the subject. It isappreciated that in this step, second one-way valve 208 is opened, andfirst one-way valve 206 is closed, so as to result in the movement offluid as described. The above process is then repeated for subsequentsubjects, with an unused needle being used for each injection.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 3A and 3B, which represent alternateisometric views, taken from a syringe entry side 300 and from an needleoutlet side 302, respectively, of cartridge 102 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.Syringe entry side 300 of cartridge 102 is shown having multipleopenings 304, for enabling each needle to be engaged by syringe 210(FIG. 2A) at the appropriate time during operation of the device. Needleoutlet side 302 of cartridge 102 is shown having multiple correspondingneedle outlet holes 306 for allowing outward movement of a single needlefrom cartridge 102 at the time of needle deployment.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 4A and 4B, which are partialcross-sectional side views of the cartridge of the device illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2, showing a single needle chamber of the cartridge beforeneedle deployment, to FIGS. 4C and 4D, which are partial cross-sectionalside views of the cartridge of the device illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2,showing a single needle chamber of the cartridge during needledeployment, and to FIGS. 4E and 4F, which are partial cross-sectionalside views of the cartridge of the device illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2,showing a single needle chamber of the cartridge after the needle hasreturned to the cartridge. Each needle chamber 200 (FIG. 2A) preferablyincludes a needle spring 400 engaged around needle 114 for facilitatingthe return of needle 114 back into chamber 200 after use. Spring 400preferably compresses against an outlet wall 404 of needle chamber 200when syringe 210 pushes needle 114 out of needle chamber 200. Whensyringe 210 is withdrawn, the compression force abates, allowing spring400 to urge needle 114 back into chamber 200.

A first needle guard 406, and preferably a second needle guard 408, aredisposed at an entrance 402 of needle chamber 200 through which syringe210 enters. Needle guards 406, 408 function to prevent reuse of aneedle. Prior to the first use of needle 114, needle guards 406, 408 areflexed and held in place between the base of needle 114 and the innerwalls of needle chamber 200, as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B. When needle114 is extended from cartridge 102, needle guards 406, 408 resilientlyflatten, as shown in FIGS. 4C and 4D. This prevents further usage ofneedle 114, as the opening into needle chamber 200 in the fluid entryside of cartridge 102 which leads to needle 114 becomes effectivelyblocked, preventing the entry of syringe 210 into needle chamber 200.

Reference is now made to FIG. 5, which is an isometric, bottom view of aneedle guard ring for use with the cartridge of the device of FIGS. 1and 2. A needle guard ring 500 is shown having a series of ring openings502 on which first and second needle guards 406, 408 are disposed. Ring500 is preferably positioned on the fluid entry side of cartridge 102and provides each needle chamber 200 with first and second needle guards406, 408. Ring 500 may be formed from flexible plastic or any othersuitable material. In FIG. 5, needle guards 406, 408 are shown in aflexed configuration.

Reference is now made to FIG. 6, which is a schematic view of adust-prevention guard for use with the cartridge of the device of FIGS.1 and 2. A dust-prevention guard 600 is shown, being preferablyring-shaped and having a gap 602. Dust-prevention guard 600 ispreferably fixedly attached to shaft assembly 116 (FIG. 1A) and coversall of the openings that are on the fluid entry side of the cartridge102, except for the opening on the fluid entry side that leads to theneedle that is located in needle deployment position 202 (FIG. 2A).Dust-prevention guard 600 preferably protects needles 114 from exposureto airborne particles. A thin covering (not shown), preferably formedfrom paper, may also be employed to cover the injection side ofcartridge 102, allowing needles 114 to pierce the thin covering whenexiting chamber 200, while protecting needles 114 from dust prior touse. The thin covering may also display printed instructions for usingthe device.

Reference is now made to FIG. 7, which is simplified side view of afluid transfer device with a needle cartridge ribbon, constructed andoperative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention. A fluid transfer device 700 is shown which operates in asubstantially similar manner to fluid transfer device 100 describedhereinabove, with the notable exception that a cartridge ribbon 702 isused, in which multiple needle chambers 704 are disposed. Rather thanrotate a cylindrical cartridge, fluid transfer device 700 advances eachneedle chamber 704 in cartridge ribbon 702 to needle deployment position202 using any known mechanism. Cartridge ribbon 702 may be made of anyflexible material, such as plastic or fabric.

Reference is now made to FIG. 8, which is simplified side view of afluid transfer device having a sliding cartridge, constructed andoperative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention. A fluid transfer device 800 is shown which operates in asubstantially similar manner to fluid transfer device 100 describedhereinabove, with the notable exception that a sliding cartridge 802 isused that is adapted for sliding along any axis that is perpendicular tothe axis of shaft assembly 116.

Reference is now made to FIG. 9, which is a simplified illustration of arotation mechanism for use with the cartridge of the device of FIGS. 1and 2. In FIG. 9, inner shaft 216 (FIG. 2A) is shown having a pin 900preferably extending downward from the end of shaft 216 closest toadvancer 220 upon which cartridge 102 may be mounted (not shown).Advancer 220 preferably has a series of gear teeth 902 preferablydisposed on its inner circumference at an angle with respect to thelongitudinal axis of shaft 216. When shaft 216 moves forward in thedirection of arrow 204, pin 900 engages gear tooth 902 (FIG. 2A) which,being set at an angle, causes advancer 220 to rotate in the direction ofarrow 906.

It is appreciated that one or more of the elements of the inventiondescribed herein may be omitted or carried out in a different order thanthat shown, without departing from the true spirit and scope of theinvention.

While the present invention has been described with reference to one ormore specific embodiments, the description is intended to beillustrative of the invention as a whole and is not to be construed aslimiting the invention to the embodiments shown. It is appreciated thatvarious modifications may occur to those skilled in the art that, whilenot specifically shown herein, are nevertheless within the true spiritand scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A fluid transfer device comprising: a cartridgecomprising a plurality of needles; an advancer operative to selectablyadvance any of said plurality of needles in said cartridge to a needledeployment position; a fluid reservoir shareable by a plurality of saidneedles; and a syringe operative, for each of said needles in saidcartridge that is selectably advanced to said needle deploymentposition, to enter said cartridge, couple with said needle in saidneedle deployment position, and convey fluid from said fluid reservoirand into said needle via said cartridge.
 2. A fluid transfer deviceaccording to claim 1 and further comprising apparatus operative to atleast partially extend said needle out of said cartridge.
 3. A fluidtransfer device according to claim 2 wherein said apparatus isretractable to urge said needle at least partially back into saidcartridge.
 4. A fluid transfer device according to claim 1 wherein saidcartridge includes a plurality of needle chambers, each chamber housingone of said plurality of needles.
 5. A fluid transfer device accordingto claim 4 wherein any of said chambers includes a spring operative toexpand when said needle is extended at least partially out of saidchamber and contract to retract said needle at least partially back intosaid chamber.
 6. A fluid transfer device according to claim 4 whereinany of said chambers includes at least one needle guard operative to atleast partially obstruct an opening of said chamber subsequent to saidneedle being firstly extended at least partially out of said chamber. 7.A fluid transfer device according to claim 6 wherein said needle guardis flexed and held in place between said needle and an inner wall ofsaid chamber prior to said needle being firstly extended at leastpartially out of said chamber, and wherein said needle guard resilientlyflattens at least partially across said opening of said chambersubsequent to said extending of said needle.
 8. A fluid transfer deviceaccording to claim 1 wherein said cartridge is cylindrical and isoperative to be rotated to advance any of said needles to said needledeployment position.
 9. A fluid transfer device according to claim 1wherein said cartridge is a sliding cartridge and is operative to beslid along an axis to advance any of said needles to said needledeployment position.
 10. A method for fluid transfer, the methodcomprising: selectably advancing a first one of said plurality ofneedles in a cartridge to a needle deployment position; coupling asyringe with said needle; conveying fluid from a fluid reservoir throughsaid syringe and said first needle in said needle deployment positionvia said cartridge; selectably advancing a second one of said pluralityof needles in said cartridge to said needle deployment position;coupling said syringe with said second needle; and conveying fluid fromsaid fluid reservoir through said syringe and said second needle in saidneedle deployment position via said cartridge.
 11. A method according toclaim 10 and further comprising at least partially extending any of saidneedles out of said cartridge.
 12. A method according to claim 11 andfurther comprising at least partially retracting any of said needlesback into said cartridge.
 13. A method according to claim 10 and furthercomprising housing each of said plurality of needles in a correspondingone of a plurality of needle chambers disposed in said cartridge.
 14. Amethod according to claim 13 and further comprising causing a springdisposed in any of said chambers to expand when any of said needles isextended at least partially out of said chamber and contract to retractsaid needle at least partially back into said chamber.
 15. A methodaccording to claim 13 and further comprising at least partiallyobstructing an opening of any of said chambers subsequent to any of saidneedles being firstly extended at least partially out of said chamber.16. A method according to claim 15 and further comprising: flexing andholding a needle guard in place between any of said needles and an innerwall of said chamber prior to said needle being firstly extended atleast partially out of said chamber; and flattening said needle guard atleast partially across said opening of said chamber subsequent to saidextending of said needle.
 17. A method according to claim 10 and furthercomprising rotating said cartridge to advance any of said needles tosaid needle deployment position, where said cartridge is cylindrical.18. A fluid transfer device according to claim 1 wherein said cartridgeis operative to retain said plurality of needles within said cartridgesubsequent to fluid conveyance through said plurality of needles.
 19. Amethod according to claim 10 and further comprising retaining saidplurality of needles within said cartridge subsequent to conveying fluidthrough said plurality of needles.